New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-08
LIFE BELOW STAIRS.
THE REIGN OF MIND OVER MATTER ENDED
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
GOSSIP OF THE WEEK AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
MOTIFS AND INCIDENTS.

|
odd pounds flesh and blood and the White House din
ner szzlcs and seams in light of his broad French
countcnancc great cook is Monsieur Foster public
functionary OF rank and one who Is fully con-
scous of his dignity and power Under the Admnistra
tons Of Garfield and Of Arthur this prince of cooks
boiled and baked and stewed himself into the good
graces of the Government and the Governments guests
Foster stands high the profession and never saw the
day that he couldn't double his Government stipend OF
| $3.50 q month in Ncw-York but honor" La gloire,
Monsieur held him TO his post For, however much
the iovia Frenchman may resemble Fasaf in build and
personal graces he differs from him fatty in his estimate
Of honor He always felt that in welding the carving
knife the White House he head and representative
Of the noble fraternity OF French cooks in this welfcd
land varitable prince ragouts and roasts he stuck
| TO his post
President Arthur whose dinner parties were the de-
light of Washington official circles and doubt, hast
ened his end from the Executive Mansion and
Foster was sad but he kept up a stout heart and
stouer presence Cleveland down from the rustic
fare of Albany and having particular friend OF his
boyhood days who wanted the place. decided that the
big cook was not offensive partisan ana might stay
continued TO scatter highly spced condiments
and French explosives mpartally the minOns of
the White House, turning deaf ear TO the bandisl-
ments and tempting offers of NewYork hotel keepers.
But alas for his fanced security, the reign OF economy
was coming Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland dawned
the White House The superiority OF mind over matter
had to be established; the methods Of the rural home
stead at Buffalo introduced into the first household
of this wealthy nation and Foster had 10 go. darkey
whose accomplishments began and ended with insight
into the intricacics of Washington boarding house hash
was given place and fraction OF his salary
Then began a reign OF chaos ana old night " in the
| White House kitchen. On weekdays the meals were
scraped together anyhow; Sundays, when stray
Buffalo voter dropped in and allowed himself TO be per
suaded 10 stay 10 dinner II caused small earthquake in
the culinary stratum and running to and fro. Mcssen
oil %. fsl lRnpin
bakeshops procure pies fried oysters and cakes OF
great ndigestibilty and architectural pretensions,
wherewith 10 tickle the Buffalo palate. After Buhhos
representatives had forth satisfied the connection
would subsde again the level Of hash with occasional
remnants of cold veal pot pie cast up By the dying
| TEN pest.
When Hymen upset the reign OF mind matter
there had to be a change The minon OF chaos and old
night relocated TO the obscurity for which nature
and the poet designed hun. French cook, whose
will here be kept shady as his morals aferward
prov ed themselves to be- brought from New York
and the White House dinner party again became thing
OF beauty and JOY for those who invited. But
day a complication Mrs Chief Cook came on from
NewYork throw herself at the foot OF the Presidential
throne and demand justice for herself aud babies The
awful fact developed that the skfu concoctor OF
toothsome croquetes and luscious pastry ndulgng
in the luxury OF two family establishments ono In New
York and one In Washington. There Of course but
line OF policy for Reform Administration TO pursue
in such a case and his tickle cookship had 10 60 Then
followed nerregnm Of cold vctuals terpnated last
| week by the return Of Foster.
He just time 10 get mp the dinner Tor queen
Kapioani and a possible catastrophe thus ayerted,
had the threatened luncheon of aud cheese
been served its stead IL might have been taken
national insult and involved this defenceess republic In
| a with the Sandwich Islands
The Queen of the Sandwich Islands, Patti aud the
races divided in about equal proportions the atten
| TrtsfH
successful beyond expectation in many respects,
though falling short IN others the weather all that
could be desired The inducements offered TO the differ
ent stables were liberal and had the effect OF bringing 10
the 'front.' II horses OF the first rank, at least such
horses rs were make the racing sufficiently inter
esng The crowds and daily attendance enormous
and the betting. for washngton-where manwho lays
bet OF 500 is looked upon a sort OF plunger-qute
| spirited. The Ookmakers did not carry much money
away with them-not this time any rate They looked
forlorn lot yesterday afternoon when they packed
their traps and started for Pimco. The fayoritism
shown TO Mclaughlin the course by starter, who
lacked decision and yet gave way to his temper upon
very slight prOvOcaOn seriously marred the pleasure
OF the first day Of the meeting at least in the eyes OF
those who believe that fair play and mparality
essential to all true sport Congress not being In session
well-known public men were conspicuous by their alb
sence STILL noticed among the crowd around the bet
ting stands ex-senator Mahone Senator'S Cameron and
Vest Representatives. wilkins, Archie" Bliss and
number OF their colleagues On the last day OF the
meeting eK-Secretary OF the Navy RObesOn
with big roll of bills in his nands putting and blowing
| and ready to make fortune. I did not ascertain
whether he succeeded or not lot or Kentuckans In
Office here syndicate TO clean out things gen
orally but home rather sadspirited thought The
visiting Queen attended Thursday but seemed 10 take
but little interest in what going The system OF
betting was explained TO her by expert OF the state
Department through interpreter But she preferred,
elttl IN Tho hnr
| the betting and everything.
Enough already been reported by telegraph OF the
success financial and otherwise OF PATHS performance
here on Tuesday night II is true as had been charged
that the management did not keep faith with the public
and true the charges for seats were exorb
ant in the extreme for Patti There Is only ono
thing to add ths-and In 1t certainly is very
gratifying; IT, that the ticket spectators were very
badly bitten Seats the boxofce price OF which was,
81 sold shortly before the rise OF the curtain for 50 and
less In the orchestra several seats remained vacant
throughout the performance
There Is clerk from OF the South ern States en-
ployed in the office OF Third Auditor about whom they
toll GOOD story During the last Presidential campaign
this man was so pronounced and 0utspoken in his opn
ion Of the relative merits OF the respective candidates
that his friends afraid he would get into serious
trouble number OF them held sort OF secret Caucus
and IL was agreed that they should approach him In
body and tender their advice to him to be less pro-
nounced I'm his denunciations OF men and measures
Accordingly one afternoon just the office closed mp for
the day at O'Clock, he was nyeigled into quiet room
and his friends put their points TO him gently at tho
same time sgnfng their apprehensions for his Official
| tenure The clerk quite indignant and at once
| began a vigorous Grafton. Gentlemen said he,
rather think as how am able TO stand on my own
bottom. Any party don't want my services may go
| 10 the ID I'm able 20 earn my bacon and Gavin any
where on Gods footstoo, reckon. Why, gentlemen,
eached school afore eighteen years ole, and I've
studied law and am good lawyer, and I've studied med
cinc and you jess bet yo boots I'm number one DOCTOR
and furherno gentlemen, I've been ordained minister
| IN my church Why kin teach school, or kin practice
| a. L In dnc And.